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Eldrid Jordaan, to deliver a lecture on challenges and solutions in building a Government Tech Platform

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It’s no secret that COVID-19 accelerated the use of technology to perform functions that were previously performed through human interaction.

Access to some government services was also enabled via digital means. The South African government enabled citizens in need of government services to apply for grants via online means.

One tech platform that enabled such intervention was GovChat. A technology platform company that was built by one Prof. Eldrid Jordaan.

He is one person who pioneered the use of technology for the South African government. He made it possible for citizens to use a tech platform to access government services. This is not always easy for the government.

Governments often build technologies and they are hardly adopted by intended users. GovChat had millions trying to use the technology tool to access government services.

To make this possible Prof. Jordaan customised a WhatsApp technology to be used for government communications.

Citizens were happy with the technology however Meta the parent company for WhatsApp was not happy. Jordaan was challenged for using this tool for government services.

It’s a matter that has been brought to the Competition Commission and courts of law. The unhappiness by Meta resulted in Goliath and David like war between a South African tech startup and a US tech giant. It’s a story that attracted the attention of the local tech ecosystem as well as government officials. He recently stepped down from GovChat and founded another tech company, Suppple.

Prof. Eldrid Jordaan will be sharing parts of this in a gathering that will be hosted by the African innovations in Cape Town tomorrow between 9 and 12. The event is hosted by an entity to share insights about innovations in the African continent as part of celebrating the Africa month. Interested ones can attend the event in person. More details on how to attend can be found here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/218901-african-innovation-business-breakfast/?ref=events-list&fbclid=IwAR3BPrUvPP0J3jpGe2ZacU9xsa8yrt6xy-idh_hM4-t5TqH7GSs16P8_sW8#/

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Police order arrest of officers bashing car in viral video

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Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has ordered the arrest of officers seen in a viral video bashing a moving car.

Adejobi condemned the incident and called for the identification and summon of the officers involved.

On Wednesday, an X user quoted a video with the words: “Can we agree finally say na animals una carry guns and uniforms give?… The Nigerian Police is the most UNPROFESSIONAL in the entire solar system.”

Reacting to the video, Adejobi wrote: “This is condemned totally. How can human beings be behaving in this unholy manner. #BenHundeyin, #LagosPoliceNG, #PoliceNG_CRU take necessary action. Fish out and invite the men immediately. Thanks.”

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Judiciary workers in Ogun suspend strike after two weeks

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The Ogun state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has suspended its indefinite strike.

The union had called for a strike on April 8 over the non-payment of 40 percent peculiar allowance by the state government.

Adewale Adenekan, publicity secretary of the union in Ogun, said executive members held a meeting with the secretary to the state government on Monday.

“After the meeting with the representatives of the state government, the authenticity of the union’s demand was established and the state government realised its mistakes in the failure to involve the JUSUN executive in the negotiation process which led to the approval and implementation of the Peculiar Allowance”, the statement reads.

“The state government said this was because JUSUN is not a member of JNC.

“However, the bone of contention is now the timing of the implementation of the union’s demand, putting into consideration the imminent announcement by the Federal Government of the new minimum wage which is expected on May 1.

“This will be billed for implementation between May and June 2024 for both Federal and State workers.

“After much discussion on the matter, it was agreed that JUSUN’s demands should be treated together with the full implementation of CONJUSS alongside the minimum/living wage negotiation and implementation.”

The union added that it reviewed the proceedings of the meeting and decided to suspend the strike.

“This is a very difficult moment for both the leadership and members of the union, but we believe this is a fair agreement that will benefit the union and its members in the long term,” the statement adds.

“In view of the above, the National Officers and JUSUN leadership of Ogun state, having reviewed the proceedings of the meeting, decided to suspend the indefinite strike action.

“The union thereby directed all its members to resume work by Wednesday. The union will continue to engage the state government towards the actualisation of its demands.

“We look forward to continue to provide our esteemed members with excellent and quality leadership.”

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Nigeria Air: EFCC vows to arraign Sirika over alleged contract fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will prosecute a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over alleged money laundering, contract fraud in the ministry and Nigeria Air debacle.  

The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this on Wednesday in a phone conversation with Nairametrics. 

When asked if the anti-graft plans prosecuting the former minister, he responded in the affirmative. 

He (Sirika) is going to be charged to court, but it may not be able to be either now or…but definitely, he is going to be sued. He may be arraigned very very soon. That is the information I’ve got,” he said. 

Sirika served under former president Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Aviation. 

Another source familiar with developments within the commission but chose not to be named also told Nairametrics that the anti-graft agency’s ongoing probe would lead to prosecution. 

“The EFCC is planning to prosecute him, but I don’t know the details except that he was arrested,” the source said. 

Several media outlets claim the ex-minister is being interrogated over alleged contract scam under his purview and knowledge. 

A reliable source said the arrest is also linked to the botched Nigeria Air. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had cancelled the Nigeria Air deal on August 31, 2023. He had revealed on January 31, 2024, that “the whole composition and totality of the deal is merely Ethiopian Air flying the Nigerian flag.” He also admitted that the EFCC was investigating the whole deal. 

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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